Much analysis accompanies the death of Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell, the evangelist minister who, quoting The Associated Press, "used the power of television to transform the religious right into a mighty force in American politics."
That he did. But to what end?
Falwell's injection of religion into politics transformed the Republican party into an entity much different than before. In many ways, the new GOP is barely recognizable as a political party, having become an instrument to promote religious values in a nation where church and state should be separate. Lest we forget, the United States was formed by people who desperately sought to escape the iron grip of European religious tyrants who branded their opponents "here-
tics" and had them executed, sometimes en-
masse, in the name of Christ.
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Falwell didn't use physical violence against his moral enemies, but his ministry certainly dripped with hate for those with whom he disagreed, including feminists, gays, Palestinians and pacifists. It certainly did not represent New Testament teachings. Blaming gays, feminists and liberals for the 9/11 attack, for example, didn't represent appropriate teachings by a minister of God -- not even among White House conservatives.
Without doubt, Falwell will be remembered by some as the one person who revitalized conservative politics in America. But a broader analysis will show his interpretations of "moral" human behavior were rejected by the "majority."
That's not to say Falwell had evil intent. In America, however, trying to inject religion into government has always been viewed as a political heresy that most would find uncomfortable and few would abide. There's a place for religion and a place for country. Mixing them in the name of God is a leap that mere humans should avoid.
